The early internet became an instant hit with political organizations and movements that had previously felt shut out of the mainstream press. This program looks at several examples of how the web was being used for political advocacy. Maureen Mason shows us the Institute for Global Communications web site which includes links to PeaceNet, EcoNet, ConflictNet, LaborNet, and WomensNet. Eric Hughes, founder of Cypherpunks, a group working to preserve privacy on the net through encryption, explains the Cypherpunks Manifesto. Jory Bell demonstrates the Anarchists Press web site, akpress.org. Shot on location at the CyberSmith internet cafe in Palo Alto, California. Hosts are Jane Wither, Andrew deVries, and Stewart Cheifet. Originally broadcast in 1996.
ECONET started in 1985 with a networking grant from the Community Affairs Department of Apple Computer. The recipients of the grant were three organizations: The Farallones Institute; Appropriate Technology International; and, Transnational Network for Appropriate Technology. I was the executive director of ECONET in 1986 which at that time was headquartered at the Farallones Institute in Occidental, California.